Also, she wanted to be close to Harrogate for a variety of reasons. And the last factor was Tommy O’Hara, who had pointed her in this direction, had offered her somewhere to stay, because she had told him she had relatives moving to Leeds. Another fib, but it worked.

Moira let out a sigh and sat up straighter, rubbing her aching back and deciding that for the moment she would remain put. Mrs Wilson was a nice woman, the work was not too arduous, though she was certainly tired now, and she paid her a decent wage. Most importantly, it gave her a roof over her head while she considered what to do next. How to start a new life.

Being in a pleasant atmosphere, in a well-decorated house, helped to make her feel at ease. Because it was what she was accustomed to, and had been, all her life. It gives me time to make my plans, Moira thought, and then waved as she saw Finn Ryan approaching.

He smiled as he came to a stop, and she returned it, then said, ‘Right on time, Finn.’

Seating himself next to her, he said, ‘I like to be punctual. And how have ye been?’

‘I am doing very well, and Mrs Wilson is nice, a kind person. She’s made me feel welcome and at home. So, are we going to have a bite to eat? Go into Leeds?’

‘Yes. I am going to take ye to the Blue Door Café … where we went with Patrick Kennedy.’

‘Oh, that’s lovely, Finn. It was a nice place.’

Finn put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a letter. ‘Mr Kennedy wrote a note to the waitress, Gladys, just to make sure she looks after us, does well by us.’

Moira nodded, stifling a smile. After a moment, she murmured, ‘That was kind of him.’ Her amusement still bubbled inside of her and she stood up, trying to quell it.

She could have handled everything quite easily; she didn’t need a letter. Still, he had meant well, she thought, and said, ‘Let us walk down to Whingate Junction, shall we? And take a tram into Leeds.’

‘Right away!’ Finn exclaimed, then jumped up, adding, ‘I’m glad ye like the Blue Door enough to go back again.’

Moira preferred to sit on the lower level of the tram, and she explained this to Finn as they walked down the hill together. To their pleasure they saw that a tram had just pulled in from the city, and they began to run. They were laughing together as they jumped onto it alertly, slightly startling the driver, who scowled at them.

‘Lead the way,’ Moira said, and she followed Finn. He went along the lower level and stopped at a double seat. She slid in first, and he joined her.

‘I will pay the fares,’ he announced grandly, and took some change out of his pocket.